You have been asked to write a training document on the US bond market for use in the new employee training program. In your document, you must ensure that you address each of the following aspects: 1a: The key players in the market; and the types of investments available to both individual and institutional investors, Characteristics of Bonds A bond is a "security" that gives the holder a financial claim against the issuer. This claim protects the holder in circumstances where the issuer is unable to pay the amount owed. It is made formal by the "trust indenture", a legal document, which specifies all the characteristics of the trust and the legal rights and obligations of all parties to the agreement (http://www.finpipe.com/bndchar.htm). Bond market and bond investments offer investors (both individual and corporate) reliable income, relative safety and portfolio diversification. Because bonds typically have a predictable payment and principal repayment flow, many people invest in them to preserve and grow principal or to receive consistent interest income (http://www.globaldirectsvcs.com/Bond_Trading. html). the bond (a fixed interest financial asset) is issued by governments, corporations, banks, utilities and other large entities and traded/purchased by investors (individuals and/or corporations) http://economics.about.com/ cs/economicsglossary/ g/bond.htm. Therefore, these are the key players, both issuers and buyers. Types of bonds and how they are traded: Bonds have many characteristics, such as how they pay interest, the market in which they are issued, the currency in which they are payable. in, protection features and their legal status. Bond issuers can be governments... in the middle of the paper... change", however, it is ONLY one type of trading in the stock market. See the definitions below for the main differences between bond and stock markets (also other stock market links to consider).Things investors need to consider when investing in the stock market and mutual funds (in part, due to the risk factor associated with the stock market): • Look at more than a company's past performance. fund • Find out the impact of the fund on your taxes.• Carefully examine the fees and expenses of the fund.• Consider the age and size of the fund.• Think about the volatility of the fund.• Consider the risks the fund takes to earn its returns.• Ask about recent changes in the fund's operations. • Check the types of services offered and fees charged by the fund • Evaluate the fund's impact on diversifying your portfolio artrepreneur.thepauper.com/content.asp.